Advocacy Updates

Chamber PAC Endorses Biz-Friendly Candidates for Education, Water

The Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Political Action Committee (GRCCPAC) recently endorsed Virginia Blumenthal and Janet Green for the Riverside Community College District, Trustee Areas 2 and 4, respectively. The Chamber PAC also endorsed Tom Evans for the Western Municipal Water District Board of Directors for Division 2 and Robert Schwandt for the Alvord Unified School District Board of Education, Trustee Area 4. Voters will head to the polls on November 4.

Virginia Blumenthal – Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees, Area 2
Over her past two terms, Virginia Blumenthal has helped the board to successfully navigate tough budgetary negotiations and debilitating funding cuts to ensure that minimal impacts reached the classroom. In particular, she cites as one of the board’s best accomplishments was maintaining a financial reserve for the district and minimizing the number of positions eliminated. She continues to support differential fee funding for technical programs, offering baccalaureate degrees to address workforce needs in the community, and opposing project labor agreements to maximize the district’s financial resources in capital projects.

Janet Green – Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees, Area 4
Janet Green continues to be a strong asset and advocate for the college district and educational opportunities for students in the region. Her pragmatic approach to programs and strong financial stewardship has been instrumental to ensuring that the Riverside Community College District weathered significant cuts in funding and state support from Sacramento. Green has also been an emphatic supporter of the business community and will be influential on future discussions of project labor agreements.

Tom Evans – Western Municipal Water District, Board of Directors, Division 2
Tom Evans has an expansive knowledge of the factors and issues that impact water access in the region. He has worked with his fellow board members to develop a positive working relationship with the City of Riverside and Riverside Public Utilities. Some of his major priorities include increasing the availability of local water resources and reducing dependency on outside sources, thereby working to contain costs placed on local business ratepayers and residential consumers.

Robert Schwandt – Alvord Unified School District Board of Education, Area 4
Robert Schwandt would bring a fresh perspective and a wealth of business experience to the Alvord Unified School District Board of Education. A long time native of the community and more than 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Schwandt promises to bring a strong financial outlook to the board’s policies. He will also focus on developing a stronger partnership with the business community to create more career technical education opportunities for students.

November 4 Election
Riverside County voters will head to the polls on November 4 from 7 AM to 8 PM. Vote-by-mail ballots must be received by county elections offices no later than 8 PM on Election Day, so mailed ballots must be sent well before November 4. For more information, visit www.voteinfo.net.

Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Political Action Committee (GRCCPAC)
The GRCCPAC is a separate, non-partisan organization that identifies and supports candidates for public office that will advocate for business-friendly public policies. No Chamber membership dues or revenue are used to fund GRCCPAC-endorsed candidates.